Autistic Women’s Experience of Motherhood: A Qualitative Analysis of Reddit

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Thom-Jones, S., Melgaard, I., & Gordon, C. S. (2024). Autistic Women’s Experience of Motherhood: A Qualitative Analysis of Reddit. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 55(7), 2539-2549. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06312-7

Publication date: 26 Apr 2024 Added to AutiHub: 6 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
3
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 3 (33.3%)
  1. Sandra Thom-Jones *
  2. Imogen Melgaard
  3. Chloe S. Gordon

Abstract

Autistic mothers remain under-represented in parental and autism research despite the associated physical and psychosocial challenges that accompany the transition to motherhood. Extant literature suggests autistic mothers experience sensory difficulties, communication challenges, stigma, and comorbidities as difficulties, but these studies have focused on autistic women in the perinatal period. The aim of this study was to examine reflections on motherhood from a Reddit community for autistic parents. Identified themes were Autistic Mothering is Different, Autistic Mothers Need Autistic Mothers, Autistic Mothers Experience Stigma, and Learnings from Lockdown. Findings extend existing research by offering insight into the ways autism impacts mothers beyond the perinatal period and have important implications for the future design and delivery of support services for autistic mothers.

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Cited references
58
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
6 / 58 (10.3%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
12 / 188 (6.4%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 12 / 50 (24.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 10 / 178 (5.6%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
50 / 188 (26.6%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 46 / 178 (25.8%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
38 / 50 (76.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 38 / 188 (20.2%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 36 / 46 (78.3%).
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